A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

did.
    Give her a soapbox any day with a worthy fight, and then she’d feel at home.
    She sighed and smoothed her skirt. At least tonight she’d better be as good an actress as those on stage.
    “You look beautiful, Emily.” Carter pulled the carriage to a stop, climbed down, and came around to her side.
    Though it was hard to take his compliment at face value, his dark eyes brimmed with honesty. As he lifted her down from the carriage, Emily caught sight of the playbill posted on the front of the theater. “We’re seeing Ibsen’s A Doll’s House ? But that’s about—”
    “I know.” His tone held a hint of mischief, and his lips turned up at the corners in an easy grin. He turned to assist her aunts. “Ladies.”
    “Well, I don’t know what it’s about.” Aunt Ethel humphed. “And it had better not be one of those tasteless vaudeville acts.”
    “It’s not, Auntie. It’s a dramatic play.”
    Aunt Millie nearly threw herself into Carter’s arms. He caught her and easily set her on the ground.
    “How perfect.” Aunt Millie continued to cling to his bicep. “You know, I once performed the part of Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet .”
    “Performed?” Aunt Ethel’s tone was terse. “You read the part aloud at school.”
    Hurt marred Aunt Millie’s round face, and Emily’s heart pinched for her dear aunt.
    “And I bet you were wonderful.” Carter winked at Aunt Millie after he handed the reins to one of the stable boys.
    Emily fought to contain a giggle.
    Aunt Ethel scowled. “Well, let’s not stand around lollygagging.”
    “You heard your aunt.” Carter offered Emily his arm. “Besides, I can’t wait to show you off to everyone.”
    Finding his last statement both hard to believe and hard to ignore, Emily’s cheeks warmed. Moments later, with her two aunts in tow, Emily entered the theater on the arm of a handsome athlete . . . only to come face-to-face with Mrs. Olivia DeSoto.
    “My, isn’t it a surprise to find you here, Emily?” Dressed in a showy pink gown, Olivia raked her gaze over Emily’s attire, then studied Carter from head to toe. “And who is your escort? A cousin from out of town?”
    Without thinking, Emily dug her fingers into Carter’s arm. He covered her hand.
    “Darling, don’t you recognize Angus Stockton’s son?” Mr. DeSoto, a stout man with a thick beard, stuck out his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. I’m William DeSoto. I work in your brother’s bank.”
    The muscles of Carter’s arm tensed beneath Emily’s hand.
    “I’ve seen you there during my visits home from college, but I must correct you. It’s my father’s bank—not my brother’s.”
    “Technically, I guess that’s true. For now. And what do you do, Mr. Stockton?”
    “I’m a baseball player with the Manawa Owls. The pitcher.”
    “Honestly? And you’re out with . . . Emily?” Olivia made no attempt to hide the disbelief in her voice.
    Emily opened her mouth to speak, but Carter interrupted. “Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to snag the beautiful and mysterious lady of the lake. Now, if you’ll excuse us. We should be going. I’d hate to miss the opening curtain.”
    “Yes, of course.” Mr. DeSoto looked over Carter’s shoulder. “Darling, can you wait here a minute? I believe I see someone I need to speak to.”
    Olivia stuck out her lip. Tears filled her sapphire-blue eyes. “But what about—”
    He patted her arm dismissively and strode toward another group.
    “I’m sorry.” Emily reached for her hand. “I’m sure he’ll return momentarily, before the opening curtain.”
    Jerking away, Olivia tipped her chin in the air. “My husband is an important member of the community. He has other obligations.” She glanced at Carter. “As a Stockton, I’m sure you understand the importance of such connections. Oh, I forgot, you don’t work in your father’s bank, do you?”
    If Carter hadn’t tugged her away, Emily would have